Abstract

Opportunistic networks (ONs) are considered as coordinated extensions of a radio access network infrastructure, which are dynamically and temporarily created in an infrastructure-less manner in order to increase service reachability, improve resource utilization efficiency and facilitate localised service provisioning. The realization of the ON concept relies on the existence of control channels which will provide necessary signalling for the coordination of the ON
nodes. Proposed control channels are conceived as an evolution of the already established cognitive pilot channel
concept. As a result, new interfaces are discussed in order to convey information from the infrastructure to the terminals
and vice versa or between terminals. Finally, the business benefits of the aforementioned approach are provided in
order to strengthen the notion of the proposed control channels and consider future expansions.